Median
The median is the middle value of a data set, found by sorting the data from least to greatest and identifying the center.
This is a free explanation of Median — a preview, not the full interactive lesson. The lesson, practice, quizzes, and AI Tutor are inside the app.
If the data set has an odd number of values, the median is exactly the middle one. If it has an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle values.
Because it depends only on position — not size — the median is resistant to extreme values. When data has outliers or is skewed (like income or home prices), the median holds steady and describes a typical value better than the mean.
Two common mistakes: forgetting to sort before finding the median, and, with an even count, giving one middle value instead of averaging the two middle values.
Worked example
Find the median of 72, 78, 85, 90, 91, 95.
- The data is already sorted: 72, 78, 85, 90, 91, 95.
- There are 6 values (an even count), so average the two middle values — the 3rd and 4th.
- The 3rd value is 85 and the 4th is 90: (85 + 90) ÷ 2 = 87.5.
Median = 87.5
On the test: With an even count the median often falls between two data values — that is expected, not an error.
This concept also comes up in Data Analysis.
Inside the app, Median comes with:
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